STAGE TUBE: Villanova Theatre's BAT BOY

Villanova Theatre concludes its 10/11 Season with the "outrageously silly and totally charming" cult-classic, Bat Boy: The Musical. Ripped from the hilarious headlines of the supermarket tabloid Weekly World News, this off-Broadway Musical of the Year details the discovery of a curious creature - half-human, half-vampire bat - found deep within a West Virginia cave. The Parker family decides to adopt and civilize the well-meaning Bat Boy; but soon, all hell breaks loose as jealousy, betrayal, murder, and other hysterical happenings turn the small town of Hope Fall completely upside down.

With story & book by Keythe Farley & Brian Flemming and music & lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, this tongue-in-cheek tale boasts an exuberant score that integrates the best of rock, pop, Broadway, gospel, and country music. In between howls of laughter, Bat Boy wrestles with the notion of American prejudice, the fierceness of modern religion, the idea of genetic engineering, and loads more. Part Little Shop of Horrors, part Les Misérables, part Dracula, Bat Boy: The Musical is a masterpiece of issue-strewn, big-hearted, comic horror.

According to director Valerie Joyce, "The script and storyline are brilliantly funny; the music is intense and witty; and best of all, this is a show that is able to laugh at itself while warming your heart. Directing a musical that can achieve all of those things at once is a rare joy."

Joyce directs a cast of 13 powerhouse actors who sing, dance, and act their way through 20 gender-bending roles and 30 musical numbers in their madcap race to the finish. The award-winning creative team behind Villanova Theatre's production includes Peter Hilliard (Musical Direction), Shannon Murphy (Choreography), Janus Stefanowicz (Costume Design), Jerold Forsyth (Lighting Design), John Stovicek (Scenic Design), and Bill Hayward (Sound Design).

The title role of Bat Boy (or "Edgar" as he is re-named by his adoptive family) is played by an up-and-coming young actor from Virginia named Michael Libonati, who was last seen as Tommy Keeler in Annie Get Your Gun. Playing opposite Michael as Edgar's star-crossed love interest/adoptive sister is the wide- eyed Sarah Moya as Shelley Parker. Second-year acting scholar Tim Rinehart plays Shelley's father Dr. Parker, the menacing, maniacal town veterinarian, and first-year acting scholar Jessica O'Brien plays his loving wife, Meredith. First-year acting scholar Michael Jansen plays the wildly eccentric Reverend Billy Hightower, Mrs. Taylor, and Roy. Jennifer Huth plays Maggie, and the cast is rounded out by Greg Bell as the Sheriff, Chris Serpentine as Rick/Daisy, Vandy Scoates-Kahn as Ron/Lorraine, Emily Walsh as Ruthie/Ned, Kimberly S. Fairbanks as Pan/Bud, Gigi McGraw as Clem/Tina/Institute Man, and Dan Ciba as Mr. Dillon/Doctor #1 & #2.

Bat Boy: The Musical takes the stage at Villanova Theatre from March 29-April 17, 2011 with press opening on Weds. March 30th. Villanova Theatre is located on the Villanova University campus in Vasey Hall (at Lancaster & Ithan Ave.). Performances will be held Tuesdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets run $21-$25, with discounts available for seniors, students and groups. Tickets may be purchased at the Villanova Theatre Box Office (M-F, 12 -5 p.m.) in person, by phone:             (610) 519-7474      , or online at www.theatre.villanova.edu.